Don Stroud (1943-)

biography

Born in Hawaii on September 1, 1943, Don Stroud became an avid surfer in his youth. As the son of vaudeville veteran Clarence Stroud, who is best known for his stint on Rudy Vallee's radio show in the 1930s, it is no surprise that Don Stroud found fame as an actor. However, due to his parents' divorce in the mid 1940s, he had little relationship with his father. His mother, singer and actress Ann McCormack, married actor Jackie Coogan in 1946.

While still a teenager, he was hired as a stunt double for Troy Donahue on TV's Hawaiian Eye. Soon, Stroud moved to Hollywood to try his hand at acting. Instead of finding work as an actor, however, he wound up as the doorman of the famed Whisky A Go-Go. A chance meeting with a producer jump-started his acting career, and he signed a contract with Universal at the age of 23. Soon he found good roles in major films such as Games (1967; with Simone Signoret, James Caan, and Katharine Ross), Coogan's Bluff (1968; with Clint Eastwood) and Bloody Mama (1970; with Shelley Winters).

Late 1970s portrait of Don Stroud

In the 1970s, Stroud often guest-starred on popular TV programs, including Adam-12, McMillan & Wife, and Cannon while maintaining a career in films, such as The Killer Inside Me (1976; with Stacy Keach and Tisha Sterling) and Death Weekend (1976; with Brenda Vaccaro). And he made headlines in 1973 when he became Mr. November in Playgirl, as he was one of the first mainstream actors to appear in the publication.

the films of don stroud

Explosion (1969)

Images from American International's 1969 film Explosion

Angel Unchained (1970)

From American International's 1970 biker flick Angel Unchained. The right three photos include Tyne Daly

Bloody Mama (1970)

From Bloody Mama, released by American International in 1970. LEFT: As Herman Barker, Ma Barker's favorite son. CENTER A: Ma Barker (Shelley Winters) has an unusually close relationship with her son Herman. CENTER B: Ma Barker is jealous of the woman Herman has picked up. CENTER C: The Barker boys attack another victim. CENTER D: Ma Barker with her sons, including Clint Kimbrough, Robert Walden, Don Stroud, and Robert DeNiro. RIGHT: Herman kidnaps Pat Hingle

Live a Little, Steal a Lot (1975)

Stroud as the title character Live a Little, Steal a Lot. LEFT and CENTER: With Robert Conrad. RIGHT: With Robert Conrad and Donna Mills

Death Weekend (1976)

Stroud as the psycho murderer and rapist Lep in Death Weekend. The right photos include Brenda Vaccaro

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981)

From The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia with Sunny Johnson and Dennis Quaid

don stroud today

In the early 1990s, Stroud was assaulted by muggers, who stabbed him numerous times. Losing an eye and some movement in his face, he nonetheless went back to work, acting in several films and a number of television programs. By the late 1990s, Stroud had retired from acting and relocated to Hawaii. However, lately he has accepted a few acting jobs, notably in Django Unchained (2012; with Jamie Foxx) and in the horror film Sutures (2009; with Andrew Prine and Jason London).